Farmiiitj in Devon and Cornwall. 
535 
is again dug up and put through a similar rotation ; but so good 
has been the management, and so careful and judicious the 
selection of seeds in the past, that the greater portion of the 
pastures laid down within the last 15 to 20 years are now in far 
too good a condition to require re-breaking. One field which 20 
years ago was mostly rushes is now able to carry a bullock per 
acre through summer. No cleaner or purer pastures are to 
be found anywhere than those laid down on this farm within the 
last few years. 
Sixty-seven acres of meadow land have been laid out for 
irrigation and utilisation of the sewage from the prison establish- 
ment, which at times numbers upwards of 1,000 persons. The 
sewage is precipitated in two settling tanks by the aid of 
sulphate of alumina placed in the main sewer about 200 yards 
above the tanks in a large box with a perforated bottom, over 
which a water tap is fitted so as to regulate the quantity con- 
sumed at different times of the day. Milk of lime is also used 
at the entrance to the tanks. The effluent water is used for 
irrigation, the solids from the tanks being applied to the land 
above the level of the carriers. Hay and silage are both 
made from the crops off this land. 
Thirty acres are devoted to the growth of garden vegetables, 
and are divided into square plots of an acre each by high hedges 
of elder, which grows and thrives well here, and provides much 
shelter from spring frosts. All kinds of vegetables are grown, 
and much success has been obtained in the growth of celery and 
cucumbers, of which latter as many as 700 have been raised and 
sold in a season : 120,000 plants of cabbages and winter greens 
are raised and planted out yearly. 
A dairy herd of 45 cows is kept, and all the calves are reared. 
Any additional "bullocks" (which term in the two counties 
means cattle of both sexes and all ages) required are purchased, 
and then fed off. The animals selected are, on account of the 
altitude, mainly North Devons ; but as dairy properties are here 
of almost as much importance as hardihood, it is not surprising 
to find in many of the cattle a dash of other blood, and an 
occasional cross of some more prolific milking breed. The dairy 
is managed on the ordinary, or raw-cream process. 
A flock of 400 sheep, "Improved Dartmoors," is kept, and 
has frequently been successful in the local show-yards. The 
wool, for so high a district, is remarkably good, and of long 
staple, and at the present time is expected to realise 7^d. to 8d. 
per lb. One ram seen had just clipped 27 lb., and the hogs 
averaged 14 to 15 lb. per fleece. 
Thirty-five pony mares and their produce run on some of the 
